Musicians' Focal Dystonia awareness and performance-related health discourse within the one-to-one conservatory teaching environment: A comparative analysis

Abstract

This study investigates musicians' focal dystonia (MFD), a neurological condition that affects approximately 1-3% of professional musicians, negatively impacting fine motor skills, coordination, and performance abilities. Given that current treatments offer only palliative relief, and the aetiology of MFD is not fully understood, proactive prevention strategies become crucial. However, awareness and attitudes towards MFD and performance-related health issues (PRHIs) amongst key stakeholders, especially within music conservatoires, remain inadequately explored. The study employs a parallel survey conducted across active conservatoire teachers and students in UK conservatoires, revealing variations in MFD awareness, diverging views on PRHI information transmission, and differences in perceived student autonomy in addressing health issues related to playing. . Considering the severe impact of MFD on musicians and the prevalence of physiological and psychological risk factors, the paper calls for enhanced programmes of PRHI awareness that include more detailed information about MFD and performance-related neurological health. It also highlights  discrepancies within the student-teacher dynamic regarding health information delivery and perceptions of student's preparedness for PRHI issues, suggesting an urgent need for better education and support systems to preserve neurological health in musicians.